OBITUARY ANNOUNCEMENT
A TRULY GREAT FRIEND OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LYCEUM PAST STUDENTS
Terry-L. Bencini- passed on to Eternal Life at the age of 94 on 26th October 2024.
Terry L. Bencini, the singer, comedienne and actress, retired from the stage in 1993. Terry performed at renowned local theatres, singing alongside Hollywood star Oreste Kirkop. She entertained also the Maltese community in Australia. Her popularity on Rediffusion sound system and on stage in earlier years, was always welcomed by all her followers.
It is well known that Terry won many singing competitions and awards, including the Best Singer Trophy at the first Malta Song Festival. One of her most loved songs, Madonnina Omm Ġesù, was played on local radio stations. She also performed on RAI radio and TV in the early 1960s. An Italian maestro named Masceroni once told her ‘You sing with your heart and mind’. He encouraged her to pursue her career in Italy.. He wanted her to start a TV programme but Terry is said to have declined that offer.
Bencini was also a popular broadcaster and spent 14 years with Radju Muskettieri – a multi-programme comedy radio production for Rediffussion, the scripts of which were written by Charles Clews and which also saw her participation with well-known fellow actors Johnny Catania, Armando Urso and Ġemma Portelli. Terry L. Bencini’s family, have fond recollections of their mother on stage.
Terry was, an exceptionally great friend of “The Association of Lyceum Past Students “ Her willingness to assist the ALPS choir soon brought her to join a sizeable number of men and women who after the winding up of the U3E choir, had spontaneously joined the ALPS choir under the direction of Maestro Joseph Fenech. As the years rolled by, Terry and her husband Maurice Lubrano, often joined in the many ALPS -functions. Always at the forefront whenever the association organised short week-end breaks to commemorate a special occasion like, Valentine’s night, a reunion or a Yuletide get together. It was ever so nice to have Terry Bencini on board on such occasions. Since her retirement from stage, she had more time to accompany her husband Maurice , who was an ambassador, to several countries, including Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
Terry L. Bencini was called “Mammina, Nanna and Buża, by her children and grandchildren.. A devout Catholic, Terry L. Bencini was always setting a good example with her gentle tender words. “La vita è bella, .
May our dear departed friend Terry, – REST IN PEACE – Amen.
